Refurbished Prices Surge
GameStop has increased the price of refurbished PS5 Pros from $800 to $1,399.99, meaning used units cost significantly more than their list price for brand-new consoles, and well over double the original MSRP. A leaked internal memo indicates that the higher price of used consoles relative to new units is intentional.
ScalpStop at its finest
Retail Shortages and Alternative Options
Brand-new PS5 Pro units have seen price adjustments driven by chip shortages, and availability remains constrained across major retailers. While some third-party sellers and alternative platforms list new consoles at inflated prices, consumers face limited stock through official retail channels. Buyers seeking alternatives have turned to secondary marketplaces or alternative hardware platforms.
Memory Chip Crisis Impact
The hardware shortage is widely attributed to the high demand for memory components in AI data centers. Semiconductor manufacturers have prioritized high-bandwidth memory and enterprise hardware, reducing the manufacturing capacity available for consumer electronics and driving up component costs.
Market pressure is further compounded by upcoming software releases, as players seek out high-end hardware configurations ahead of major title launches.
While base console editions remain closer to standard pricing, specialized hardware demand continues to strain the secondary market, leaving buyers with fewer affordable options.
